Rearranging

I was tired before the store even opened. I spent the morning rearranging. It happens when the seasons change. Sometimes samples are overlooked so if we put them in a different spot customers will notice them.

This is Mode at Rowan Softest Alpaca. The sample is called Hale.

Our Traveler Shawl knit in Malabrigo Washted. There will be a Washted restock next week (along with Rios, Malabrigo Sock and Ultimate Sock).

Killer Queen cowls knit in Malabrigo Rios. The samples from left to right are Diana, Grain and Blue Jean.

The goal is to have kits made for as many samples as possible. This will make shopping easier for you and it makes it easier for us to help you when the store is busy.

I’m not finished. There are so many ideas running through my head that it’s kept me up the past few evenings. Lynn is coming in with me tomorrow and she will get up on the step stool to help with a few more displays. While she is doing that I will be making new signs for everything.

Now the Jays and a bit of knitting. I might be able to finish my Sophie Scarf tonight.

Ozzy Cardigan x 2

Tanis Lavallee has two new patterns. This is the Ozzy Crew Cardigan and you can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

I am a very big believer in the magic of halo. For this classic cardigan I held a strand of fingering weight merino with a strand of mohair and the etherial glow and elegant drape that it brings to the garment is chef’s kiss! It’s instantly elevated. I love how the soft fabric plays with the graphic lines of this cardigan.

The cardigan is knit with one strand of fingering weight yarn and one strand of laceweight mohair. 

The Ozzy V Cardigan (pattern purchased on Ravelry) is knit in DK weight yarn.

How delightful is this two-toned button band!? The Ozzy V Caridgan is possibly the most effortlessly chic item of knitwear that I own. I can imagine it in endless colour combinations but think that it would be equally lovely worked up in a single colour, or maybe something with a halo like mohair to give it a softer overall look. Whatever direction you choose, I know you’re going to live in this cardigan!

I had a good day with the dogs. We did laundry, cleaned the kitchen, worked on the website and did a bit of knitting. There was also a short nap. 

I’m at the halfway point of Sophie Scarf number two. I’m using Plump again - this time in Levitate. Now it’s time for baseball. 

Morning in Your Pocket

Morning in Your Pocket is Melanie Berg’s latest shawl. You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

Some knits are like a little spark of joy—easy to slip into your day, bright and full of life. Morning in Your Pocket is just that: a cheerful shawl with playful stripes and a touch of lace that feels like sunshine on your shoulders. 

The real magic? A dreamy gradient from Townhouse Yarns, shifting softly through pastel tones like the sky waking up. It’s delicate and light, with just the right amount of color to make every stitch sing—pure good vibes in yarn form. 

Worked in simple sections of lace and garter stitch, Morning in Your Pocket is as relaxing to knit as it is fun to wear. Wrap it around your neck, tuck it into your coat, or let it dance over your favorite outfit—whatever the day brings, this shawl brings a little morning magic with it.

The shawl is knit in fingering weight yarn. You need a full skein for each of the main colours and six mini skeins (80 yards each) for the contrast colours. 

I solved one problem today. Kathmandu Fingering is on the shelf in the fingering weight room. I started moving a few other things around but didn’t get them finished before leaving. I’ll continue with them on Wednesday. Tomorrow it’s me and the dogs. Dad and Beth are off to a job meeting in Peterborough. 

Mr. UPS was at the store this morning with pretty new colours. This is Open Water Dyed in the Wool.

Levitate Plump. 3 skeins came home with me and I am going to make another Sophie scarf. It was fun to knit and I like how it fits.

Eleventh Hour Plump.

Dad and I wound a skein of yarn and it’s time to cast on. We’re flipping between football and baseball - fall is a great time to be a sports fan.

Plump Sophie Scarf

For the past few days I’ve been knitting a Sophie Scarf (pattern purchased on Ravelry) with Spincycle Plump. I’m almost finished and it looks like it will take 3 skeins and I am using 8mm needles. Plump is a chunky yarn but because I’m knitting on 8mm needles it isn’t stiff and drapes nicely. My scarf is 33 stitches wide.

My colour of Plump is Something Wicked. I think Mr. UPS is bringing two brand new colours tomorrow.

The pattern is mindless and works with any thickness of yarn. There are over 33,000 projects on Ravelry. Knitters have used wool, silk, cashmere, alpaca, mohair, cotton and many other fibers. You can make the scarf as short or as long as you like it.

It was a lazy day of knitting with a nap thrown in. Tomorrow I’ll be in the store trying to figure out where the new yarns are going. 

Hope you had a great weekend. We can’t complain about the weather.

Orson

Joji Locatelli has a new pattern. You can purchase the pattern for Orson on Ravelry.

Orson is my first design using a Compound Raglan Construction. I started with frequent increases, placed close together at the top of the yoke. Then I slowed the pace, letting the fabric settle into its rhythm, until the shaping picks up again just before the armholes. The changes are subtle, but they shape the sweater into something that feels very natural when worn. 

There’s also a complex cable running down the front and back. It’s the kind of stitch pattern that makes you stop and pay attention, the kind that keeps your hands engaged and your mind present.

The sweater is knit in worsted weight yarn so your options are endless. 

Photos © Joji Locatelli

I had a great day in the store. It was busy from the minute we opened until closing time. Thanks to everyone who visited. Now a bit of knitting. I’m trying to get further on the project I talked about a few days ago so I can show you want it’s going to be. 

I NEED A BIGGER STORE

Mr. UPS brought in 4 boxes of Kathmandu Fingering and Patagonia. I’m not sure where we are going to put it.

I put together more kits for Alpine Bloom this afternoon. These are available online and in the store. This kit is calling my name. There is something about the lime, gold, peach and rust that will make amazing flowers.

If you something different please contact me and we will work on a kit that calls your name.

I had skeins of Dyed in the Wool set aside and put them into some One of a Kind (OOAK) kits. For these 3 kits you will receive the skeins that are pictured.

I’ll share more information about this tomorrow. I was in the store from 9am-6pm today and then had errands to run. Now it’s time to put my feet up and knit more.

Rowan Knitting & Crochet Magazine 78

We won’t see the fall Rowan until October 1st but you can preorder Magazine 78 now.

Rowan Knitting & Crochet Magazine is a seasonal publication that has been cherished by knitting and crochet enthusiasts worldwide for over 40 years. Each issue presents a curated collection of patterns, showcasing the work of renowned designers such as Kaffe Fassett, Lisa Richardson, Erika Knight and Martin Storey and many more. Known for its beautiful photography and interesting editorials, the magazine is eagerly anticipated each season.

I spent a good part of the day making up kits in the store. We have many samples and it was time to have kits for the samples. This makes shopping easier.

I just checked UPS and we could see the new Kathmandu Fingering on Friday. There is a lot of Patagonia in the boxes as well including 3 brand new colours.

My new store planters.

I might have brought yarn home to start a new project. More on this tomorrow when I have pictures. If I have pictures because I might be in bed early. I was up late last night watching the Jays and then up early to get into the store.